DIABETES:

Maria, a 25-year-old with type 1 diabetes, wanted children. Maria's doctor told her that before she got pregnant, her blood glucose (sugar) should be close to normal and her kidneys, eyes, and blood pressure should be checked. Maria began to watch her diabetes very closely. She checked her blood glucose four times a day, ate healthy meals, and began to walk a lot.Once Maria became pregnant, she spent a lot of time taking care of her diabetes. Her hard work paid off. Nine months lat.
What is pre-diabetes?

Pre-diabetes means your blood glucose is higher than normal but lower than the diabetes range. It also means you are at risk of getting type 2 diabetes and heart disease. There is good news though: You can reduce the risk of getting diabetes and even return to normal blood glucose levels with modest weight loss and moderate physical activity. If you are told you have pre-diabetes, have your blood glucose checked again in 1 to 2 years.er, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl.
What are the signs of diabetes?

being very thirstyurinating a lotfeeling very hungryfeeling very tiredlosing weight without tryinghaving sores that are slow to healhaving dry, itchy skinlosing feeling in or having tingling in the hands or feethaving blurry visionhaving more infections than usual If you have one or more of these signs, see your doctor. How can I take care of myself if I have diabetes?Many people with diabetes live healthy and full lives. By following your doctor's instructions and eating right, you can too. Here are the things you'll need to do to keep your diabetes in check:Follow your meal plan — Eat lots of whole grain foods, fruits, and vegetables.Get moving — Health benefits are gained by doing the following each week:2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity or1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity orA combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity and Muscle-strengthening activites on 3 days.
How can I take care of myself if I have gestational diabetes?

Taking care of yourself when you have gestational diabetes is very much like taking care of yourself when you have other types of diabetes. But it can be a little scary when you're pregnant and you also have a new condition to take care of. Don't worry. Many women who've had gestational diabetes have gone on to have healthy babies. Here are the things you'll need to do:
Follow your meal plan:
— You will meet with a dietitian or diabetes educator who will help you design a meal plan full of healthy foods for you and your baby. You will be advised to:limit sweetseat often — three small meals and one to three snacks every daybe careful about the carbohydrates you eat —your meal plan will tell you when to eat carbohydrates and how much to eat at each meal and snackeat lots of whole grain foods, fruits, and vegetables.

Get moving:
— try to be active for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes each week. If you're already active, your doctor can help you make an exercise plan for your pregnancy. If you haven't been active in the past, talk to your doctor. Your doctor can suggest activities, such as swimming or walking, to help keep your blood glucose on track.

Test your blood glucose :
— Your doctor may ask you to use a small device called a blood glucose meter to check your blood glucose levels. You will be shown how to use the meter to check your blood glucose. Your diabetes team will tell you what your target blood glucose range is, how often you need to check your blood glucose, and what to do if it is not where it should be.The following chart shows blood glucose targets for most women with gestational diabetes. Talk with your health care team about whether these targets are right for you.

Blood glucose targets for most women with gestational diabetes:

On awakeningnot above 95 mg/dL

1 hour after a mealnot above 140 mg/dL

2 hours after a mealnot above 120 mg/dL

1.Each time you check your blood glucose, write down the results in a record book. Take the book with you when you visit your health care team. If your results are often out of range, your health care team will suggest ways you can reach your targets.

2.Take your diabetes medicine exactly as your doctor tells you.
You may need to take insulin to keep your blood glucose at the right level. If so, your health care team will show you how to give yourself insulin shots. Insulin will not harmyour baby—it cannot move from your bloodstream to your baby's.